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FDR declares Good Neighbor Policy
FDR decides to adopt an isolationist, non-intervention position toward Latin America. All American forces withdraw and American foreign policy gets strengthened support. This is significant because the US was worrying about their own issues, not other countries. -
FDR declines London Economic Conference
The London Economic Conference was a meeting of representatives of 66 nations who wanted to stabilize their currencies. FDR declines because he was worried about the US currency and not the other nations. It is significant because extreme nationalism occurred with international cooperation difficulty -
US recognizes the Soviet Union
FDR ended the 16 years of not recognizing the Soviet Union. This created talks with important issues regarding the US/USSR and this action is significant because both benefited from these talks (stimulates economy or creates less tension). -
Tydings - McDuffie Act
The act allowed self-government for the Philippines by the mid 1940s. This is significant because the US was no longer going to protect the Filipinos and they would be finally free. -
Reciprocal Trade Agreements
These agreements decreed that the tariff could be lowered to 50% by the US, and the other countries would do the same. This agreement is significant because US foreign trade increased dramatically. -
US neutrality act of 1935
The act imposed a general embargo on trading arms and war materials. Also, it declared that US citizens traveling on warring ships did so in their own risk. It is significant because he was expanding his isolation policy. -
Mussolini invades Ethiopia
Mussolini adopted German’s policy to expand and explained that invading Ethiopia was not different than the colonial powers actions. Invading Ethiopia is significant because now Italy was becoming more imperialistic. -
US Neutrality act of 1936
This act renewed the 1935 act with an addition of forbidding loans/credits to belligerents. This is significant because the US was still sticking to the isolation policy. -
Spanish Civil War
The Spanish Civil War was fought between the Republicans (loyal to the Spanish Republic), and the Nationalists, a rebel group led by General Franco. The Nationalists prevailed. Franco ruled Spain for the next 36 years.It was significant because the fascists nations backed the nationalists, while the republic was supported by the USSR. Also, the US was not willing to help any side in the war, even though GM/Ford provided transportation vehicles for the nationalists (not under the gov's action) -
US Neutrality Act of 1937
The US outlaws the trade with Spain and extended the previous acts with no expiration date, provisions, and it covered civil wars. It is significant because the US was not going to intervene to help the “better” side… the US kept to their isolation policy. -
Japan invades China
Japan invaded China and the US refused to call it a war. It is significant because Japan was still allowed to buy US arms/weapons. -
Panay incident
Japan attacks the US gunboat, Panay. It is significant because JPN apologized and sent 2 million dollars for the "mistake". The US/JPN relationship was torn even further. -
Hitler seizes Austria
Hitler seized Austria... this is significant because it was the beginning to the Nazi's seizing countries and territories. (Austria voted on if they should join Nazi Germany... they knew that they would be seized if they did not vote yes) -
Munich Conference
W Europe agrees to give Sudtenland (apart of Czechoslovokia) to the Germans. It is significant because they thought it would appease Hitler and he would stop seizing... it was a failure in the end. -
Hitler seizes all of Czechoslovakia
Hitler seized all of Czech and this is significant because it showed the W European countries that their appeasement actions did not work and that he will keep conquering. -
Nazi-Soviet Pact
Hitler makes an agreement with Russia that says that they can conquer any W. European country without a USSR retaliation. This is significant because Germany seized Poland and that started WWII with GBR and France. -
WWII begins in Europe with Hitler's invasion of Poland
WWII begins because GBR and France were loyal to Poland and declared war after Hitler seized Poland. This is significant because countries were now going to fight back against Germany. -
US Neutrality Act of 1939
The act allowed arms trade to Great Britain and France, it ended the arms embargo. Acts of 1935/1937 were repealed. Transporting arms imports and exports required a license. It is significant because the US started participating in the war. -
Fall of France
Germany successfully invades France, France was forced to surrender. This is significant because the US realized that they needed to get involved in the war so Europe was not fully controlled by the Nazis. -
Battle of Britain
Germany tries to take over Britain through air superiority. Germany fails. This is significant because it is the critial turning point to WWII, the first "defeat". -
Destroyer deal with Britain
US agrees to send 50 destroyers to Britain. Britain gave the US 8 defense bases. This is significant because it violated the US neutrality. -
US invokes first peacetime draft
The US decides to have a draft with men of around 18yrs to 45rs. This is significant because the US was getting more involved in the war. -
Lend - Lease Act
The US will lend weapons to the Allies. It was significant because it was a clear sign that neutrality was no longer existent. -
Hitler attacks soviet union
The largest invasion in the history of warfare. This is significant because it breaks the Nazi-Soviet Pact and shows that Hitler will take over as much as he can. -
Fair Employment Practices Commission Established
The government declares a law that businesses cannot discriminate against races and religions. This is significant because now blacks and other discriminated against minorities could obtain jobs during WWII. -
Atlantic Charter
The US and GBR declared post-war goals and decrees that they would make, it was recognized by all Allies. It is significant because it inspired post-war actions that were made. -
Japan Attacks Pearl Harbor
Japan surprises the US with an attack at Pearl Harbor, HI. It is significant because it lead to the definite WWII entry by the US. -
US declares war on Japan
The US declares war on Japan and Germany/Italy declare war on the US. It is significant because the US officially enters WWII. -
Germany declares war on US
Germany declares the war on the US to defend Japan. They were surpised by the attack by Japan, but were willing to back anyone up that declared war on the US. It is significant because the Axis powers were now fighting against the US. -
Japanese-Americans interned
Japanese-Americans are not allowed in America or they are placed in war relocation camps. It is significant because the US was discriminating against them because the US thought that the Japanese would rebel and start warfare within the US since the Japanese were loyal to Japan. -
Japan conquers the Philippines
(Attack begins 12/8/41) Japan kills and captures Filipinos while the Filipinos/US try to defend. It is significant because Japan occupies the Phillipines for three years, which is an action trying to divert attention to a lesser issue; the US should be paying more attention to Europe. -
Battle of Coral Sea
Naval battle between Japan and the US/Australia. It is significant because it led to the Allies strategic advantage against Japan in the South Pacific for the coming years. They destroyed ships that could not be used at the Battle of Midway, and it was a staring point in weakening Japan so that they would eventually be defeated in WWII. -
Battle of Midway
One of the most important naval battles in WWII history. It was a successful turning point because it was the first defeat of Japan's naval army since 1863. Japan was hoping that they would defeat the US and it would be a step towards conquering the Pacific Ocean Islands (including Hawaii). -
US invades North Africa
This is significant because the Allies were trying to improve naval control of the Mediterrean by the conquering of North Africa and prepare for a Southern Europe invasion. Allies are victorious. -
Casablanca Conference
The Allies met in French Morocco to discuss WWII issues. It was significant because the Allies made the finalized strategic plans against the Axis powers, and the idea of “unconditional surrender" versus the Axis. -
Japanese driven from Guadalcanal
(Started 11/12/42) US/Japan engage in a long naval battle with a lot of deaths on each side. It is significant because the US win strategically and stop the last Japan attempt at defeating the Allies. -
Allies invade Italy
The Allies invade Italy while Germany was trying to prevent that... they killed anyone surrendering to the Allies. This is significant because conquering Italy meant that the Axis powers would be crippled by the defeat. The Allies reached Rome and were stopped there until Germany/Italy surrendered. (took a couple of years) -
Tehran Conference
A meeting between Stalin (USSR), Roosevelt (US), and Churchill (GBR) in Iran about coordinating a second front. It is significant because Russia attacked the East while the other Allies attacked from the West simultaneously. -
D-Day invasion of France
Source "June 6, 1944, 160,000 Allied troops landed along a 50-mile stretch of heavily-fortified French coastline to fight Nazi Germany on the beaches of Normandy, France. General Dwight D. Eisenhower called the operation a crusade in which 'we will accept nothing less than full victory.' More than 5,000 Ships and 13,000 aircraft supported the D-Day invasion, and by day’s end on June 6, (Significance->)the Allies gained a foot- hold in Normandy." -
Battle of Marianas
The US defeats Japan at the Marianas Islands. It is significant because Japan would never recover their naval strength after the defeat. -
Battle of the Bulge
Video & Info on BattleIt is significant because it depleted Germany's war making resources, but the US had many casualties. Germany lost because of being ill-prepared. They were forced to retreat. This was the bloodest battle of WWII for the US. -
Korematsu vs US
(Argued at 10/11/44) It is significant because any Japanese American was ordered to be in a relocation camp during WWII regardless of citizenship. It was ruled constitutional (6-3). -
Battles of Iwo Jima and Okinawa
More Info Here(Jima starts 2/9/45, Okinawa starts 4/1/45) The US defeats Japan at the Battles of Iwo Jima and Okinawa. It is significant because Japan was nearing defeat, they had a lot of casualties. -
FDR dies, Truman becomes president
After FDR's death, the US needed another war leader to successfully finish off the Axis powers. Truman filled the role and successfully concluded WWII. It is significant because the US did not miss a step since Truman had knowledge regarding war affairs. -
Potsdam Conference
The goals of the conference were to establish post-war order, peace treaties, and solving effects of the war. It is significant because they also discussed how to punish Nazi Germany (ie. war reparations). -
Atomic bombs dropped
(August 6th and 9th of 1945) It is significant because it ultimately led to the defeat to Japan. Japan did not want to surrender after the 1st atomic bomb(Hiroshima). But then the 2nd bomb occurred at Nagasaki. Finally, Tokyo (JPN) surrendered, but wanted their emperor to stay... the US agreed. -
Japan surrenders
This event is significant because it concluded WWII. Japan agrees to surrender after atomic bombs.
